James A. Rhodes State College (formerly Lima Technical College) was officially chartered in 1971 as a state, public-assisted associate degree-granting institution of higher education. A study conducted by community leaders in 1967 revealed the need for a number of technical educational programs to satisfy the employment demands of area businesses, industries and agencies. As a result, Penta Technical Institute of Perrysburg (now known as Owens Community College) established instructional programs on the Lima Campus in 1969. In the fall quarter of that year, a total of 49 students enrolled in the nursing program, the only course of instruction offered.

In June 1971, at the recommendation of the Ohio Board of Regents, the Allen County Technical Institute District was formed. Functional operation of the new institution began in July 1971 under the interim auspices of The Ohio State University. Finally, in September 1971, the College received its own charter and began operation under its own Board of Trustees. The continued cooperative relationship between Lima Technical College and The Ohio State University has produced an efficient campus operation and a very unique and effective educational environment.

Since the fall quarter of 1971, in which 468 students registered, the College has experienced remarkable growth and development.  Today the College offers over 100 associate degrees, majors and certificate programs, and the College’s online coursework and off-campus learning centers serve 33 Ohio counties.  More than 25,000 participants from manufacturing to allied health organizations have benefited from workforce development services.

As Lima Technical College grew, the need for a name change became increasingly more evident. On March 1, 2002, the Lima Technical College Board of Trustees voted to change the College’s name to more accurately reflect the scope and diversity of its courses and services to West Central Ohio and beyond. Effective June 24, 2002, the College formally changed its name to James A. Rhodes State College, in honor of the former Ohio Governor who spearheaded the state’s two-year college system.

Rhodes State College has gained accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456 or https://www.hlcommission.org/. The majority of Rhodes State’s programs have received accreditation from professional associations (see specific program information under “Programs of Instruction” section.)

The concept of a single student body on the Lima Campus carries over to the use of facilities. The nine buildings, located on 565 acres, are shared by Rhodes State College and The Ohio State University at Lima. Classroom and laboratory space, comprising a total gross area of 420,000 square feet, is available to sustain current programs in technical and continuing education.

Galvin Hall, the first building constructed on the campus in 1966, houses numerous classrooms, lecture rooms, faculty offices and a recreation area.

The campus auditorium, cafeteria, music laboratory, and some faculty offices are located in Reed Hall, which was built in 1968.

The Technical Education Laboratory building, built in 1970 and renovated in 2008, was designed and constructed specifically to support the technical education programs at Rhodes State College. It presently contains faculty offices, Central Duplication, Security, Testing Center/Accommodative Services, and specialized laboratories for the Law Enforcement, Radiographic Imaging, Medical Assisting, Education, and Human Service programs.  Additionally, this houses The Justin A. Borra Center for Addiction Studies and Services which opened in 2023.  

Cook Hall, dedicated in 1977, is a multi-purpose facility, which houses the library, gymnasium, classrooms, faculty offices, and The Kenneth & Jean Clemens Dental Hygiene Clinic. 

The Public Service Building, dedicated in 1993, houses the administrative offices. The Business Office, Admissions, Advising, Veteran Services, The SHOP, Registration and Records, the Bookstore, Financial Aid, and Transfer Residency Office are located in this building.

The James J. Countryman Engineering & Industrial Technologies Building, dedicated in 1996, provides additional laboratory and classroom space. In 2012, an expansion of the Countryman building was completed to include a 16,000 square foot addition with classrooms, administrative/faculty office space and student soft space.  Additionally, Workforce Development and Community Programming including Career Services and the Small Business Development Center are located in this building.  The Nutrien Agronomy Suite is underway where students will learn about soils and crop, nutrient, and pest management within the Agriculture Technology Program.  

Dedicated in 1999, the Life and Physical Sciences Building, is a 90,000 square foot structure that houses several classrooms, faculty offices, the Tutoring Center, the biology, chemistry and physics laboratories along with a new ESports lounge and arena.  

The Information Technology Building opened in Winter of 2004 and was renamed Keese Hall in honor of retired president Earl Keese. This 33,232 square foot structure houses the business and information technology programs and several administrative offices. In 2014, the Keese Hall Multipurpose Center was opened. This important expansion for campus and community use seats 300-400 people, with access to high quality breakout spaces in the existing Keese Hall.

In August 2021, the Borra Center for Health Science opened in the heart of downtown Lima. The Center is named in honor of Pier C. Borra and Renee A. Borra for their extreme generosity in advancing the College's vision for regional health care education.  This facility strategically helps Rhodes State College meet the growing need for more healthcare professionals as well as the training needs of incumbent healthcare professionals. This 50,000 square foot, with cutting-edge technology and equipment, Center houses the nursing, respiratory care, EMS, physical therapist assistant and occupational therapy assistant programs. In addition, the Center has high-tech Simulation Laboratory spaces including four healthcare suites with high-fidelity simulators for student and community experiential learning activities. The Center, an interprofessional state-of-the-art teaching facility, represents a collaborative effort with major hospitals, healthcare partners, businesses, and government to expand educational opportunities, drive community revitalization, enhance business development and innovation, and provide access to healthcare to underserved residents. 

Philosophy of Student Learning and Development